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Narrator: ALASKA -- THE LAST FRONTIER.
IT JUST GOT A LOT TOUGHER!
Narrator: THE EARLY ONSET OF WINTER
CUTS SHORT THE KILCHER FAMILY'S FALL PREPARATIONS...
Atz: DO WHAT YOU CAN IN EVERY SEASON
SO YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT WITH YOUR PANTS DOWN.
Narrator: ...LEAVING ATZ LEE AND HIS FAMILY
STRUGGLING TO FIND FOOD.
IT SUCKS WE DIDN'T GET ANY FISH.
Narrator: NOW THE RECORD-SETTING WINTER IS FINALLY OVER
BUT HAS LEFT LASTING EFFECTS...
Jane: WE HAVE SO MUCH SNOW RIGHT NOW,
YOU'RE STILL GONNA SEE SNOW IN MAY AND IN JUNE.
Narrator: ...FORCING ATZ LEE ON AN EARLY BLACK BEAR HUNT...
Atz Lee: IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL,
I'M LOOKING AT 200, 300 POUNDS OF FRESH MEAT FOR THE SPRING.
Narrator: ...WHILE HIS WIFE, JANE,
FISHES THE FRIGID WATERS OF KACHEMAK BAY
IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO KEEP THEIR FAMILY FED.
BEST SCENARIO IS I JUST CATCH A FISH TO EAT.
Narrator: THE SHORTENED SUMMER MEANS LESS TIME
FOR THE ENTIRE KILCHER HOMESTEAD
TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL...
...AND PREPARE BEFORE THE FREEZE.
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
♪ BUT LIFE IS SIMPLE, LIFE IS GOOD ♪
♪ WHEN YOU'RE LIVIN' LIKE YOU SHOULD ♪
♪ HEY, HEY ♪
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S STRUGGLE, STRIFE ♪
♪ FATHERS, SONS, BROTHERS, WIVES ♪
♪ BUT WE'RE MAKIN' OUR WAY ♪
♪ YES, WE'LL STAY ♪
♪ RIGHT HERE ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Atz: WHAT A DAY!
THAT'S RIGHT!
OH.
WHOO-HOO!
IF A GUY CAN'T [BLEEP] OFF HIS MOUNTAIN IN THE MORNING,
IT JUST AIN'T NO DAMN GOOD.
Narrator: OVER 80 YEARS AGO,
YULE KILCHER SETTLED ON THIS 600-ACRE ALASKAN HOMESTEAD.
HE RAISED HIS LARGE FAMILY TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT,
TO LIVE OFF THE ABUNDANT RESOURCES
THIS LAND COULD PROVIDE THEM.
BUT THESE PAST EIGHT MONTHS,
YULE KILCHER'S DESCENDANTS HAVE STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE
ONE OF THE HARSHEST WINTERS IN ALASKAN HISTORY.
Otto: I THINK THIS WAS THE SNOWIEST WINTER ON RECORD
SINCE THE '50s, I BELIEVE.
ACCORDING TO MY DAD, '47 WAS THE SNOWIEST WINTER,
BUT REGARDLESS, THAT ONE'S NOT ON RECORD.
HE SAID THERE WAS 12 FEET OF SNOW HERE IN THE SPRING.
YOU DON'T THINK SPRING'S EVERY GONNA COME.
YOU'RE CONVINCED THAT IT'S GONNA STAY WINTER
FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHITE FOR NINE MONTHS,
YOU START GOING CRAZY.
Narrator: AS THIS BRUTAL SEASON WINDS DOWN
AND THE NEW CYCLE OF SPRING EMERGES,
THE KILCHERS HAVE TO FOCUS AGAIN
ON PREPARATIONS FOR THEIR NEXT WINTER.
SPRING HAS ALWAYS REPRESENTED REJUVENATION, REBIRTH.
THE SUN HAS MORE HEAT.
THE SNOW MELTS.
WATER STARTS RUNNING.
THE RIVERS START MELTING. THE ICE BREAKS UP.
Atz Lee: LIFE IS BEGINNING. IT'S INSPIRING.
NOW'S THE TIME WHERE YOU START IT ALL OVER AGAIN.
Narrator: THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING IS WELCOME,
BUT THE HOMESTEADERS
MUST IMMEDIATELY GEAR UP FOR THE NEXT WINTER,
WHICH IS JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY.
Eivin: SPRING MEANS A LOT OF WORK.
WE'VE GOT GARDENING TO DO.
WE'VE GOT HUNTING TO DO, FISHING.
WE HAVE TO MAKE HAY.
WE'VE GOT BUILDINGS, NEW STRUCTURES.
ALL THOSE THINGS WE HAVE TO CRAM INTO THIS REALLY SHORT WINDOW.
I NEED 100 POUNDS OF SALMON. I NEED 100 POUNDS OF HALIBUT.
I NEED 150, 200 POUNDS OF RED MEAT.
THE WORK NEVER STOPS.
Atz: IT IS AN ***-KICKING TIME OF THE YEAR, TOO.
KIND OF LIKE, "BRING IT ON!"
Narrator: ATZ LEE, A THIRD-GENERATION KILCHER,
BELIEVES THE MELTING SNOW
WILL BRING THE BEARS OUT OF HIBERNATION.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT MONTHS,
HE HOPES TO FILL HIS FREEZER
WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN FISH OR RABBIT MEAT.
Atz Lee: BEEN A LONG WINTER.
NOW SPRING'S MY FIRST CHANCE TO GO OUT AND GET SOME BIG GAME.
HIGHER ELEVATIONS STILL GOT FIVE OR SIX FEET OF SNOW,
BUT DOWN HERE AT A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET,
SNOW'S MELTING OUT QUICK.
AND GENERALLY WHEN THAT STARTS HAPPENING,
THE BEARS START WAKING UP.
I'M DEFINITELY READY TO GET SOME GOOD RED MEAT.
TIRED OF EATING LITTLE CRITTERS.
AND INSTEAD OF BEING LATE RIGHT NOW, I'M EARLY.
I'M GONNA HEAD DOWN TO MY DAD'S HOUSE, GRAB HIM.
IT'S ALWAYS EASIER WHEN YOU GOT A PARTNER TO WORK WITH.
Narrator: BEARS COMING OUT OF HIBERNATION ARE EXTREMELY HUNGRY
AND THEREFORE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
ATZ LEE KNOWS THAT HAVING A PARTNER
TO WATCH HIS BACK DURING A HUNT IS A KEY TO SURVIVAL,
ONE OF MANY LESSONS PASSED DOWN FROM HIS GRANDFATHER YULE
TO HIS FATHER AND NOW TO HIM.
HOW MANY EXTRA BULLETS YOU TAKING ALONG?
14.
UH-HUH.
I FIGURE THAT SHOULD BE PLENTY, RIGHT?
MM-HMM.
TAKES A LOT OF PLANNING, A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF ENERGY,
BUT I'M JUST GOING GUNG HO RIGHT NOW.
I MEAN, I'M ALL IN.
I'D LIKE TO JUST WORK KIND OF FROM GLACIER SPIT
TO AURORA SPIT.
Narrator: ATZ LEE AND HIS FATHER, ATZ SR.,
HAVE DECIDED TO CROSS KACHEMAK BAY
TO HUNT THE FIRST BLACK BEARS
TO COME OUT OF WINTER HIBERNATION.
THEY WILL KAYAK ACROSS SIX MILES OF FRIGID WATERS
WITH LOADED GUNS AND ENOUGH SUPPLIES TO SURVIVE THEIR HUNT.
Atz Lee: GOT TO PLANS ON THE TIDES. GOT TO PLAN ON THE WEATHER.
UTILIZING A KAYAK.
BRINGING FOOD THAT --
YOU KNOW, THE LAST BITS THAT I GOT LEFT OVER FROM THE WINTER.
YOU TALKED TO ANYONE THAT'S SEEN ANYTHING OVER THERE YET?
YEAH, THERE'S BEEN SOME SIGHTINGS AND WHATNOT
IN THESE SAME GENERAL AREAS.
THE MAJOR ***'S GONNA BE HAPPENING
ON THAT SIX-MILE CROSSING.
YOU GOT THAT MUCH PADDLING IN YOU?
WELL, I DON'T KNOW. WE'LL FIND OUT.
OKAY.
Narrator: A SINGLE BLACK BEAR WOULD PROVIDE ATZ LEE'S FAMILY
WITH ENOUGH MEAT FOR A FEW MONTHS,
BUT THIS EARLY IN THE SPRING,
THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THE ANIMALS WILL BE OUT OF HIBERNATION.
THIS UNCERTAINTY FORCES ATZ LEE'S WIFE, JANE,
TO GO SALMON FISHING ON KACHEMAK BAY.
SHE HOPES TO TAKE CARE OF HER FAMILY'S MORE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
THE FREEZER'S EMPTY, AND IT'S HARD TO SHOOT A BEAR.
IT'S NOT A GUARANTEED THING. IT'S KIND OF A PROCESS.
IF THEY DIDN'T GET A BEAR, I DEFINITELY WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT SOMETHING WAS GONNA BE IN THE FREEZER.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A MAN'S WORLD OUT HERE,
AND SO I'M NOT SITTING HERE CRYING ABOUT IT.
I'M GOING AND TRYING TO CATCH SOME FISH.
ALASKA WOMEN ARE JUST AS TOUGH AS ALASKA MEN.
I CAN FISH JUST AS WELL AS ANY GUY OUT HERE, FOR SURE.
I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG TIME.
I'M GONNA TRY FOR ROCK FISH, HALIBUT, AND SALMON.
THIS IS MY CHUM BAG.
I'M GONNA PUT SOME HERRING THAT I BASHED UP IN,
SOME BAIT JUICE AND SOME WEIGHTS.
AND I'M GONNA DROP IT DOWN,
LET THE FISH KNOW IT'S LUNCHTIME.
IT'S GONNA BE NICE AND DISGUSTING.
HAVE TO MAKE HER SOFT. THIS IS GETTING GOOD.
THIS KIND OF DISGUSTING IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.
[ SQUAWKING ]
SEA GULLS ARE GETTING JEALOUS.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
THINK THAT'S GONNA DO IT.
I'M DROPPING THE BAIT DOWN TO THE OCEAN FLOOR
WITH THE WEIGHT ON IT, AND I'M PULLING UP A LITTLE BIT.
SO IT'S GONNA FISH RIGHT OFF THE FLOOR.
THIS IS A LITTLE BAIT HERRING.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GONNA CATCH A KING WITH.
THEN WE'RE GONNA ATTACH THIS FLASHER.
IT'S GONNA TELL THE KING SALMON THAT I'M HAVING A PARTY.
IT NEEDS TO SHOW UP.
THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN HERE.
THIS IS GONNA ATTRACT HIM IN,
AND THEN HE'S GONNA SEE THAT AND BE LIKE,
"OH, WOW! HORS D'OEUVRES!"
SO, GOOD TIMES.
IT'S NOT A QUICK THING.
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT "FISHING" AND NOT "CATCHING."
NOW WE'RE JUST GONNA WAIT.
IT'S HARDER TO CATCH FISH IN KACHEMAK BAY RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE NOT IN THE WATER LIKE THEY ARE IN MAY.
THEY JUST KIND OF LEAVE IT,
AND THEY'RE JUST OUT IN DEEP SEAS.
IT'S JUST THE FACT THAT IT'S APRIL AND WE'RE OUT OF FISH.
BEST SCENARIO IS I JUST CATCH A FISH TO EAT.
I KNOW THERE'S FISH IN HERE.
SO, REALLY, THE PRESSURE'S ON. GOT TO GET ONE.
Narrator: BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD,
FOR ATZ LEE'S COUSIN, EIVIN, WARMER WEATHER IS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO START WORKING ON A BIGGER CHICKEN COOP,
WHICH IS LONG OVERDUE.
Eivin: OUR FLOCK OF CHICKENS HAS GROWN TO BE QUITE A BIT LARGER,
AND WE'VE GONE FROM LIKE 8 TO 10 CHICKENS
TO WE'LL HAVE 50 LAYING HENS.
SO IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HOUSE 50 CHICKENS,
I'M BUILDING A CHICKEN COOP.
Narrator: FOR THE KILCHERS,
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SURVIVE LIVING HAND-TO-MOUTH.
A SUBSISTENCE LIFESTYLE,
ESPECIALLY IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS,
REQUIRES PLANNING
AND MAINTAINING THE NUMEROUS RESOURCES
THAT OTHERS TAKE FOR GRANTED.
Eivin: WE DON'T EAT VERY MUCH CHICKEN.
WE EAT THE EGGS. WE NEED THOSE EGGS.
WE NEED THOSE EGGS TO EAT. WE NEED THOSE EGGS TO TRADE.
WE NEED THEM
IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF CONTINUE TO CARRY ON AS WE DO.
A CHICKEN COOP NEEDS TO BE PRETTY STRONG
BECAUSE WE'VE GOT WOLVES, WE'VE GOT COYOTES.
THERE'S STRAY DOGS THAT COME THROUGH,
AND YOUR CHICKENS NEED THAT PLACE OF SAFETY.
AND TO BUILD THIS THING,
I'M USING ALL THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE HERE ON THE LAND --
OUR SAWMILL, OUR TRACTORS, AND, OF COURSE, OUR LOGS.
THERE'S A LOT OF DEAD TREES AROUND HERE,
SO I'M GONNA CUT ONE DOWN AND JERK IT OUT OF THERE.
SOME NICE, BIG LOGS.
YOU KNOW, WE DO EVERYTHING
FROM GETTING THE LOGS, MILLING THE LUMBER.
IT'S JUST HOW WE HAVE TO LIVE HERE.
AND THEN I HAVE TO DRAG LOGS TO THE SAWMILL.
I HAVE TO BUILD THE WHOLE CHICKEN COOP,
AND THAT'S GONNA TAKE TIME, AS WELL.
IT'S A BIG UNDERTAKING, BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS
THAT, HOPEFULLY, IF YOU DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME,
IT'S SOMETHING YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO DO AGAIN.
Narrator: THE SAWMILL USED ON THE HOMESTEAD
IS ONE THAT THE FAMILY HAS USED
TO BUILD ALMOST EVERY CABIN AND STRUCTURE.
EIVIN'S FATHER, OTTO, BUILT THE MACHINE OVER 30 YEARS AGO
OUT OF OLD PARTS AND A USED AUTOMOBILE ENGINE.
[ METALLIC CLANKING ]
[ MOTOR STOPS ]
OHH, LOST A BELT.
BUMMER.
OH, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SOME OTHER ONES
THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED, TOO.
OLD EQUIPMENT -- IT'S NICE TO HAVE WHEN IT WORKS GOOD,
BUT IT CAN BE KIND OF A [BLEEP]
WHEN IT'S BREAKING DOWN ALL THE TIME.
Narrator: THE SAWMILL IS USED BY THE ENTIRE KILCHER FAMILY
ALL SUMMER LONG.
A BROKEN BELT NOT ONLY PUTS EIVIN'S CHICKEN COOP ON HOLD,
BUT ALSO EVERY OTHER BUILDING PROJECT ON THE HOMESTEAD.
JUST A FEW MILES AWAY FROM THE HOMESTEAD,
EIVIN'S COUSIN, ATZ LEE, HEADS OUT ON AN EARLY BLACK BEAR HUNT
WITH HIS FATHER, ATZ.
Atz Lee: YOU GOT TO MAKE THAT CHOICE IN THE SPRINGTIME.
IS YOUR FOCUS GONNA BE AROUND THE HOUSE, GROWING A GARDEN,
OR IS YOUR FOCUS GONNA BE
GETTING THE FREEZER FULL OF BEAR MEAT
TO GET YOU THROUGH THE SUMMER
WHILE YOU'RE GROWING YOUR GARDEN AND STUFF?
AND RIGHT NOW, MY MISSION IS
TO FILL THE FREEZER WITH FRESH BEAR MEAT.
CARRYING?
ON A BEAR HUNT IN THE WILDS OF ALASKA,
IT'S ALMOST EASIER TO MAKE A LIST OF WHAT COULD GO RIGHT.
Atz: ANYTIME YOU GET OUT THERE IN THE ELEMENTS, IT'S DANGEROUS.
YOU GOT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
AND THE MAIN THING IS YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED.
Atz Lee: YOU GOT EVERYTHING FROM HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE.
Atz: WE COULD GET TO THE OTHER SIDE AND A STORM COULD BLOW UP,
AND WE'RE OVER THERE AND WE RUN OUT OF FOOD.
YOU COULD FALL OUT OF YOUR KAYAK.
EVEN IF YOU CAN SWIM,
YOU'RE NOT GONNA LAST LONG IN THAT COLD WATER.
Atz Lee: IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL,
I'M LOOKING AT 200, 300 POUNDS OF FRESH MEAT FOR THE SPRING.
BUT IT'S TAKING A BIG GAMBLE
TO TRY TO GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG,
PROBABLY GONNA END UP DYING OUT THERE.
Narrator: ATZ LEE AND HIS FATHER, ATZ SR.,
WILL KAYAK FROM THEIR HOMESTEAD
SIX MILES ACROSS FRIGID KACHEMAK BAY.
IN HOPES OF FILLING ATZ LEE'S EMPTY FREEZER,
THEY WILL HUNT THE FIRST BIG GAME AVAILABLE IN ALASKA,
BLACK BEAR.
Atz Lee: GETTING A BLACK BEAR IS ABOUT BEING IN THE RIGHT PLACE
AT THE RIGHT TIME.
ONCE YOU STEP ON SHORE, WE'RE IN BEAR COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
Atz Lee: AS SOON AS YOU HIT THE BEACH, IT'S HUNTING TIME.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
Atz: YOU GOT TO BE HYPER-ALERT.
YOU GOT TO HAVE ALL YOUR SENSES GOING.
Narrator: BEARS HIBERNATE IN THE WINTER
AND COME OUT OF THEIR DENS AS THE TEMPERATURES RISE.
FINDING A BLACK BEAR WOULD BRING ATZ LEE AND HIS FAMILY
UP TO 300 POUNDS OF MEAT.
THOUGH BLACK BEAR ARE USUALLY LESS AGGRESSIVE THAN BROWN BEAR,
ATZ LEE'S DETERMINATION COULD LAND HIM FACE-TO-FACE
WITH AN ANIMAL EQUALLY DESPERATE FOR A MEAL.
Atz: THERE'S POTENTIAL DANGER. WE COULD RUN INTO BROWN BEAR.
YOUR RIFLE LOADED?
YEAH.
ALL RIGHT. YOU GOT THE SHOT IF WE SEE ONE BEFORE CAMP.
Atz: EVEN IF YOU'RE GOING OUT TO DO YOUR BUSINESS BEHIND A TREE,
YOU GOT TO TAKE YOUR RIFLE WITH YOU.
YOU NEED TO BE READY AT EVERY MOMENT
BECAUSE IT'S WHEN YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN,
IT'S WHEN YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING IT
THAT, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU LOOK UP, THERE'S A BEAR.
SET UP CAMP?
YES, SIR.
Atz Lee: I WANT TO GET CAMP SET UP
AND GET OUT THERE AND FIND SOME BEAR SIGN,
FIND A BEAR, JUST GET TO HUNTING.
THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.
Atz: FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS
MAKING SURE YOUR FOOD IS OUT OF REACH FOR BEARS.
Atz Lee: IF YOU LEAVE YOUR FOOD LAYING IN A CAMP,
A BEAR COULD EASILY, WHILE YOU'RE GONE, SHOW UP,
TAKE ALL YOUR FOOD,
AND THEN YOU'RE SCREWED FOR THE REST OF THE TIME YOU'RE HERE.
SO, YOU DO HAVE TO GET ALL YOUR FOOD,
PUT ALL OF IT IN ONE BAG...
Atz: THROW A ROPE OVER A HIGH BRANCH,
AND THEN PULL YOUR FOOD UP.
I WANT TO FIND A BEAR,
BUT WE DON'T WANT HIM TO EAT OUR FOOD,
AND WE DON'T WANT HIM SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR CAMP
WHEN WE COME BACK.
Atz Lee: BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN DEAD.
IF THE BEARS ARE OUT THIS TIME OF DAY,
THEY'RE USUALLY OUT COMBING THE BEACHES.
YOU'RE STARTING OFF
ON THIS BROAD, HUGE, 25-MILE-RADIUS AREA,
AND YOU'RE JUST KIND OF COMBING THROUGH IT
AND TRYING TO FOCUS.
IS THERE SIGN HERE? NO, CHECK THAT OFF.
ANYTHING OVER HERE? NO.
AND JUST GOING THROUGH THAT.
YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO KIND OF NARROW IT DOWN
AND SEE HOW CLOSE YOU CAN GET TO A SPOT WHERE THERE IS BEARS.
SINCE WE GOT SO MUCH GROUND TO COVER,
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SPLITTING UP?
WE'RE WORKING A GOOD 6-, 8-MILE AREA ON FOOT,
SO IT MADE THE MOST SENSE TO SPLIT UP.
TWO SEPARATE TEAMS IS GONNA LET US SEE TWICE AS MUCH GROUND
IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME.
AND THEN DO TWO SHOTS TO SIGNAL A BEAR,
AND IF WE GET INTO DANGER, THREE SHOTS IN RAPID FIRE.
OKAY, SON. BE SAFE.
YES, SIR.
Atz: I'M KIND OF LETTING ATZ LEE RUN THE SHOW.
I'VE RUN THE SHOW FOR ENOUGH YEARS,
AND HE KNOWS EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW.
Atz Lee: I'M CARRYING THE FRUSTRATION OVER
FROM LAST FALL'S FAILED BEAR HUNT.
I MEAN, I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT ALL WINTER LONG,
DRIVING MYSELF CRAZY WITH,
"MAN, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER."
SO, THIS SPRING, I'M OUT EARLIER.
AND I AIN'T GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL I [BLEEP] KILL A BEAR.
IT'S A GREAT SPOT TO HUNT FOR BLACK BEAR.
NOW IT'S JUST A MATTER OF FINDING ONE.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Narrator: BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD, ATZ LEE'S COUSIN, EIVIN,
IS QUICKLY FALLING BEHIND ON HIS BUILDING PROJECT
DUE TO A BLOWN BELT ON THE HOMEMADE FAMILY SAWMILL.
Eivin: WHEN THE BELT BROKE,
I SHOULD HAVE JUST CHANGED THAT ONE BELT AND FINISHED UP
SO I COULD GET BACK TO WORK,
BUT I DOVE IN AND ENDED UP CHANGING ALL THE BELTS.
PART OF LIVING OFF THE LAND IS
YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THE MACHINES THAT YOU'RE USING.
THERE'S NO ONE IN THE YELLOW PAGES
THAT YOU CAN CALL FOR SAWMILL REPAIR.
IT'S LIKE YOU JUST HAVE TO DIVE IN
AND START PULLING IT APART AND MAKE DO BY YOURSELF.
LET'S NOT ACCIDENTALLY PUT THE BLADE ON BACKWARDS.
HI, EIVIN.
Eivin: HEY, DAD.
Otto: I ARRIVED AT THE SAWMILL,
AND THIS OLD MACHINE IS JUST TORE PLUMB APART.
THERE WAS BELTS AND PULLEYS
AND BOLTS AND WRENCHES LAYING EVERYWHERE.
WELL, YOU GOT THAT WHOLE SUCKER TORE ALL THE WAY APART,
YEAH.
Eivin: MY DAD IS AMAZING AT FIXING MACHINERY.
WERE YOU DOING THE EDGERS, TOO?
ALL SIX OF THEM?
SIX OF THEM AND THE MAINS.
AND YOU COULDN'T JUST CHANGE IT, OR YOU JUST DECIDED TO...
I...YEAH.
OKAY.
Otto: I WAS TEMPTED
TO KIND OF RIDE HERD A LITTLE MORE ON WHAT HE WAS DOING
AND SAY, "WATCH OUT FOR THIS. WATCH OUT FOR THAT."
AND I KIND OF REALIZED I COULD GIVE HIM A COUPLE POINTERS.
LIKE, THESE ROLLERS ARE SUPPOSED TO MISS THESE PULLEYS HERE
BY JUST A TINY BIT.
THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TOUCHING THE PULLEY.
UH-HUH.
Eivin: I DO LIKE WORKING WITH MY DAD.
SOMETIMES IT TAKES ME A MINUTE TO REMEMBER THAT.
THERE'S KIND OF STILL THAT FATHER/SON DYNAMIC SOMETIMES
WHERE I'M LIKE, "OH, AH!"
IT'S PRETTY CRITICAL HOW TIGHT THESE BOTTOM BELTS ARE.
AND THESE BELTS, 'CAUSE THEY'RE NEW,
ARE GONNA STRETCH FAIRLY SOON.
OKAY.
SO IT'S GONNA BE REALLY CRITICAL, ALSO,
TO RE-ADJUST THESE FAIRLY SOON.
OKAY.
HE SHOWED ME HOW TO FINE-TUNE AND BALANCE SOME OF THE WHEELS.
WE REALLY TEND TO HELP EACH OTHER
BUT NOT MICROMANAGE EACH OTHER, EITHER.
CAN I POINT SOMETHING OUT?
SURE.
TEETH GOT TO GO THE OTHER WAY.
REALLY? NO.
YEAH, IT'S COMING THIS DIRECTION.
NO, IT'S NOT.
OH [BLEEP] IT IS.
I PUT THE [BLEEP] BLADE ON BACKWARDS.
[ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S FUNNY.
YEAH.
BE SURE TO PUT THAT BLADE ON THE RIGHT WAY.
WOULDN'T CUT VERY GOOD THE OTHER WAY, I DON'T THINK.
WELL, EIVIN, I GOT TO GO, DUDE.
IT'S A PARENT'S JOB TO KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE AND SHUT UP
TO LET THEM LEARN.
SON OF A [BLEEP]
ALL RIGHT, HOPEFULLY THAT IS THE RIGHT WAY.
IT'S ALL FINISHED.
AND, YOU KNOW, NOW I'M GONNA START IT UP AND SEE HOW IT RUNS.
[ MOTOR SPUTTERING ]
[ MOTOR TURNS OVER ]
Narrator: EIVIN LOST PRECIOUS TIME FIXING THE SAWMILL,
BUT WITH HIS FATHER'S HELP, THE DAYLONG REPAIRS
SHOULD KEEP THE SAWMILL RUNNING ALL SUMMER LONG.
ATZ LEE'S WIFE, JANE, CONTINUES TO DO HER OWN PART
AS SHE ATTEMPTS TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED FISH TO THEIR TABLE.
BUT SHE'S HAVING NO LUCK,
AND THE WEATHER HAS TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE.
WHOA, BOAT'S ROCKING.
[ Chuckling ] BOAT'S ROCKING!
TYPICAL KACHEMAK BAY IS, DAY BREEZE COMES UP
AND YOU'RE IN A SKIFF ROCKING AROUND.
SO, IT'S BUMPY OUT THERE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE FOG'S COMING IN,
SO I GOT TO PACK UP AND GET OUT OF HERE QUICK.
NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE I'M GOING.
MY POLE'S STILL IN THE WATER,
SO I GOT MAYBE 15, 20 MINUTES WITH THIS FOG COMING IN,
SO AS SOON AS IT GETS CLOSE,
I'M JUST GONNA PACK UP AND GO HOME.
Narrator: IF JANE GETS STUCK IN THE THICK FOG,
NAVIGATING HER BOAT BACK TO SHORE
WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
BUT SHE DECIDES TO RISK IT AND FISH FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
[ REEL WHIRRING ]
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
[ GASPS ]
[BLEEP]
Narrator: JUST BEFORE RETURNING TO SHORE EMPTY-HANDED,
JANE STRIKES A FISH.
[ REEL WHIRRING ]
ALONE, SHE STRUGGLES
TO REEL IN THE POWERFUL KING SALMON
WITHOUT SNAPPING THE LINE.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
[ GASPS ]
JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
OH, MY GOD.
[ LAUGHS ]
MY GOD.
THAT WAS A [BLEEP] FIGHT.
THAT WAS MY BIGGEST SALMON FIGHT OF MY LIFE.
I'M KIND OF SHAKY.
OH, MY GOD. THIS IS KING SALMON.
THAT IS A BIG [BLEEP] KING THAT I CAUGHT.
THIS IS AN OVER-30-POUND FISH. THIS IS A NICE SIZE.
THIS IS A LOT OF DINNERS.
ATZ IS GONNA BE SO JEALOUS WHEN HE SEE THIS FISH.
[ CHUCKLES ]
THIS WAS A GOOD DAY.
SO PRETTY.
THIS IS GOOD.
[ CHUCKLES ]
IT'S ALWAYS EXCITING,
AND, YES, I WOULD LOVE TO RUB IT IN THEIR FACES I CAUGHT A FISH.
WILL I?
PROBABLY.
Narrator: BACK AT THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,
EIVIN'S WIFE, EVE, IS GATHERING HER BROOD OF CHICKENS
FOR THEIR NEW HOME,
BUT THERE IS A MYSTERY WITH ONE OF THE HENS.
Eve: WE HAVE THIS ONE OLDER CHICKEN
STARTING TO EAT ITS EGGS.
IT'S JUST NOT A GOOD CHICKEN ANYMORE TO HAVE IN OUR COOP.
Narrator: WITH OVER 30 NEW CHICKS READY TO HATCH,
EVE IS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING NEWBORNS
TO A ROGUE CANNIBAL HEN.
Eve: CHICKENS START EATING THEIR EGGS
'CAUSE THEY GET DEFICIENT IN CERTAIN THINGS.
THEY NEED MORE CALCIUM OR SOMETHING.
THIS TIME OF YEAR IS HARD
'CAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH GREENERY.
AND WE CAN'T LET THEM OUT INTO THE BIGGER AREA
UNTIL THE LEAVES GET BIGGER
SO THEY HAVE PLACES TO HIDE FROM THE PREDATORS.
ONCE THEY EAT THEIR EGGS, THEY DON'T STOP,
AND NO MATTER WHAT FOOD OR SUPPLEMENTS YOU GIVE THEM,
THEY CONTINUE TO EAT THEIR EGGS.
SO, IT'S TIME TO KILL IT.
NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHICH CHICKEN IS THE ONE.
Narrator: TYPICALLY,
IT IS AN OLDER HEN THAT IS THE CULPRIT.
THEREFORE, EVE MUST DETERMINE WHICH HEN IS THE OLDEST.
Eve: I'M LOOKING FOR BIGGER ANKLES.
I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THE COLORATION OF THEIR VENT,
IT'S CALLED, AND THAT'S WHERE THEY LAY EGGS.
THE WHITE OR PINKER IT IS, THE OLDER THEY ARE.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
OKAY, I'M GONNA PUT THIS ONE IN THE KENNEL.
THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO TELL.
I WANT TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE.
AND I'M NERVOUS ABOUT PICKING THE RIGHT ONE,
'CAUSE IF I PICK THE WRONG ONE, THEN I'M GONNA FEEL TERRIBLE.
I DON'T KNOW.
[ CHICKENS CLUCKING ]
Narrator: STRUGGLING TO DETERMINE WHICH IS THE OLDEST HEN,
EVE HOPES THAT EIVIN CAN HELP.
I'M DEFINITELY NOT WANTING TO KILL A CHICKEN
THAT IS A GOOD, EGG-PRODUCING CHICKEN.
OKAY, LITTLE BITTY.
OKAY.
[ GRUNTING ]
CHICKEN CHASING.
Eve: [ Laughing ] YEAH.
SO, I HAVE THREE IN THERE. I DON'T KNOW.
I WAS GONNA CATCH ANOTHER ONE.
[ CHICKEN CLUCKING ]
THAT ONE IS CRAZY.
I THINK IT'S THIS ONE RIGHT HERE,
BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF GOT THIS BRUISING ON ITS ANKLES.
IT'S KIND OF GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A CANKLE THING GOING ON.
IT DOES.
Eivin: WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CHICKENS,
AND SOME OF THEM ARE THE SAME BREED.
AND SO, IT CAN BE HARD TO TELL A MATURE BIRD.
BUT WE'RE PRETTY SURE WE MADE A GOOD DECISION THERE.
IF YOU'RE GONNA TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF HAVING THE ANIMALS,
THEN YOU CAN'T JUST GO ON FEEDING THESE OLD ANIMALS
LIKE IT'S AN OLD-ANIMAL RETIREMENT HOME
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
YOU KIND OF HAVE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE
AND SEE THE WHOLE JOB THROUGH.
[ AX THUDS ]
[ ROOSTER CROWS ]
OKAY.
[ LAUGHS ]
MY POOR CHICKEN.
YOUR POOR CHICKEN.
THAT'S JUST PART OF LIVING ON A FARM, HUH, HONEY?
YEAH, IT IS.
Eivin: IT DEFINITELY IS A LITTLE BIT TROUBLESOME
JUST, LIKE, SLAUGHTERING AN ANIMAL LIKE THAT,
JUST PUTTING IT TO THE BLOCK.
BUT IT'S ALSO, I THINK, A RESPONSIBILITY
OF BEING A FARMER AND RAISING ANIMALS.
Eve: IT'S KIND OF BRUTAL AND STUFF,
BUT YOU CAN'T GET TOO CAUGHT UP
IN THE SENTIMENTALITY AND EMOTION OF IT.
I MEAN, I THINK I'M JUST GONNA BREAD IT AND FRY IT.
Narrator: ATZ LEE AND HIS FATHER, ATZ SR.,
HAVE SPENT ALL DAY
COVERING NEARLY FIVE MILES OF RUGGED WILDERNESS,
HUNTING FOR BLACK BEAR.
Atz Lee: NO SIGN.
THE OLD BEAR TRAILS HAVEN'T BEEN USED YET.
NO MOVEMENT'S BEEN HAPPENING.
DAYLIGHT COMING DOWN.
NEEDING TO GET BACK TO CAMP AND THEN HAVE SOME DINNER.
I DIDN'T GET A BEAR, BUT WE LEARNED SOME STUFF.
SO, EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGN,
WE KNOW THAT THIS AREA -- DEFINITELY NO MOVEMENT IN HERE.
WE DON'T NEED TO COME BACK AND KEEP WASTING TIME.
CHECK THAT OFF THE LIST. MOVE ON.
GO CHECK THE NEXT AREA.
Atz Lee: STILL A LITTLE LIGHT LEFT.
MIGHT JUST GO ON ONE LAST LITTLE SCOUT THIS EVENING.
AND IF YOU STUMBLE ON A BEAR IN THE DARK UNDER A TREE
THAT'S BEDDED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT?
WELL, YOU'LL HEAR SHOTS.
[ Chuckling ] I'LL HEAR SHOTS.
[ LAUGHS ]
I'LL COME BACK BY DARK.
I GOT A HEAD LAMP AND FIRE STUFF.
I'M GOOD TO GO.
Atz Lee: DEFINITELY BLOWN OUT AND TIRED.
IT'D BE NICE TO KIND OF LAY DOWN AND REST FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
BUT I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT. I WANT A [BLEEP] BEAR.
I'M JUST TOO AMPED UP, TOO FOCUSED ON THE HUNT.
I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND JUST SCAN THE FOREST LINE.
I JUST WANT TO SEE ANY KIND OF SIGN,
OR, LIKE, BEST-CASE SCENARIO,
STUMBLE ACROSS A BEAR AND GET A GOOD SHOT AT IT.
IT'S A LITTLE RISKY, A LITTLE DANGEROUS
BECAUSE IF YOU COME UP ON A SLEEPING BEAR
THAT'S BEDDED DOWN,
OBVIOUSLY, THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
IS GONNA WORK AGAINST YOU INSTEAD OF FOR YOU
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GONNA SEE IT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.
YOU STUMBLE ACROSS THEM, THEY JUMP UP STARTLED,
TAKE YOUR HEAD OFF BEFORE YOU CAN GET A SHOT OFF.
Narrator: BARELY SURVIVING THE WINTER
AFTER HIS FAILED HUNTS LAST FALL,
SPRING HAS ARRIVED,
AND ATZ LEE HEADS INTO THE WOODS ALONE IN SEARCH OF BLACK BEAR.
ONE BLACK BEAR CAN PROVIDE UP TO 300 POUNDS OF MEAT.
Atz Lee: IT'S A LITTLE RISKY, A LITTLE DANGEROUS
BECAUSE IF YOU COME UP ON A SLEEPING BEAR
THAT'S BEDDED DOWN,
YOU STUMBLE ACROSS THEM, THEY JUMP UP STARTLED,
TAKE YOUR HEAD OFF BEFORE YOU CAN GET A SHOT OFF.
IF AN ANIMAL WAS COMING THROUGH HERE AS BIG AS A BEAR,
COMING OFF OF THIS TRAIL,
THEY'D BE LEAVING PRINTS IN THE SNOW HERE.
SO, THIS GAME TRAIL HASN'T HAD ANYTHING BIG ON IT YET.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE TIME I'M GONNA SPEND OUT HERE.
IT'S GETTING DARK. THERE'S NOTHING HERE.
CHECK THIS OFF THE LIST.
LOOK FOR SOMEWHERE ELSE TOMORROW.
HEAD BACK TO CAMP.
Narrator: AFTER FIXING THE SAWMILL,
ATZ LEE'S COUSIN, EIVIN,
CONTINUES HIS WORK ON A NEW CHICKEN COOP
BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD.
Eivin: MY DAD HELPED ME GETTING THE REST OF THE WALLS PUT UP
AND KIND OF FRAMED.
WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PRETTY ROUGH
AND JUST KIND OF BANGING IT TOGETHER.
GO LOOK THROUGH THAT PLASTIC TUB UNDER MY SAW FOR MORE NAILS.
THERE'S TONS OF THEM IN THERE.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING THEM OUT.
HOLY MOLEY!
THIS IS WHERE THE RECYCLING
COMES INTO PLAY HERE, HUH?
MM-HMM.
WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE ALL THE RESOURCES WE HAVE
IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.
THAT'S THE LIFESTYLE CHOICE.
I NEED TO START HAVING KIDS TO STRAIGHTEN MY OLD NAILS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
YEAH.
I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I DON'T REMEMBER YOU
STRAIGHTENING VERY MANY NAILS FOR ME.
NO?
DON'T YOU BE COUNTING ON YOUR KIDS DOING THAT FOR YOU.
NOT EVEN IF YOU TELL THEM IT'S SUPER FUN?
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
YEAH, THAT WORKS ABOUT A HALF THE TIME.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: AFTER SPENDING TWO FULL DAYS
SEARCHING FOR ANY SIGN OF BEAR,
ATZ AND HIS SON, ATZ LEE, HAVE COME UP EMPTY.
FRUSTRATED AND OUT OF FOOD,
IT'S TIME TO HEAD BACK TO THE HOMESTEAD.
Atz Lee: THERE'S ALWAYS AN AMOUNT OF FRUSTRATION
WHEN YOU GO ON A HUNT AND SPEND ALL THE TIME AND ENERGY
AND DON'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING.
BUT I DID ALL THE RIGHT STUFF, LOOKED AROUND.
THERE'S NO SIGN. IT'S JUST TOO EARLY.
THE BEARS AREN'T AWAKE OVER HERE YET.
Atz: IT'S NOT LIKE WE FAILED.
IT'S CALLED "HUNTING" FOR A REASON.
OTHERWISE, IT WOULD JUST BE CALLED "KILLING."
HERE WE GO.
Narrator: WITH A SIX-MILE KAYAK TRIP
IN FRIGID ALASKAN WATERS AHEAD OF THEM,
ATZ LEE WON'T GIVE UP
UNTIL HE'S EXHAUSTED EVERY OPTION.
Atz Lee: ON THE WAY BACK ACROSS,
WE'LL PADDLE OUR WAY BACK ALONG THE BLUFF,
DO SOME GLASSING FROM THE KAYAK ON THAT SIDE.
WEATHER'S GOOD.
Atz Lee: I AIN'T OVER TILL MY FREEZER'S FULL OF MEAT.
HARD WORK, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT PAYS OFF IF YOU KEEP AT IT.
Narrator: ATZ LEE'S LAST CHANCE FOR BEAR
IS TO SCOPE OUT THE CLIFFS ALONGSIDE THE BAY
AS THEY TRAVEL TOWARDS HOME.
BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD,
EIVIN IS PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES
ON THE NEW, LARGER CHICKEN COOP
WITH THE HELP OF HIS FATHER, OTTO, AND HIS WIFE, EVE.
THIS IS A TEDIOUS JOB.
[ Laughing ] I THINK WHY EIVIN GAVE IT TO ME.
I SEEM TO DO WELL AT TEDIOUS JOBS.
Otto: SOMETIMES,
WHEN WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF OUR DAY IN THE HOMESTEAD,
SEEMS LIKE YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING DONE OF YOUR OWN
BECAUSE YOU'RE CONTINUALLY HELPING SOMEBODY ELSE.
Otto: GOT THAT ROOF PRETTY SQUARE, BOY?
I SQUARED IT.
YOU GOT TO PUT SOME MARKS DOWN FROM ONE SIDE
SO EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU CAN CHECK.
'CAUSE THIS STUFF WILL FAN OUT
AND START SPREADING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
YEAH, I KNOW.
YOU GOT TO CHEAT IT BACK.
YOU KNOW? I DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT.
WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT?
FROM YOU. YOU DID TELL ME.
I DID?
DAMN. I DID TELL YOU EVERYTHING, THEN.
YEP.
Eivin: THE DOOR, IT'S KIND OF AN OLD-SCHOOL STYLE OF LATCH
THAT THEY USED TO USE BEFORE THEY WENT AND MADE DOORKNOBS.
BUT IT'S PRETTY EFFECTIVE,
AND YOU CAN OPEN IT FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
I JUST FASHIONED IT WITH A BUNGEE CORD ON HERE
SO THAT IT'S KIND OF SPRING-LOADED
OR BUNGEE-CORD-LOADED.
IT'S ONE THAT YULE, MY GRANDFATHER, USED TO DO,
AND HE USED TO STICK THEM ON ALL HIS DOORS.
SO, IT'S KIND OF A NEAT THING
THAT I LIKE TO TRY TO KEEP ALIVE.
CHICKEN HOUSE IS DONE.
FEELS REALLY GOOD. IT'S ALL CLOSED IN,
AND WE'RE READY TO PUT SOME CHICKENS IN THERE.
OKAY, CHICKENS!
THIS IS YOUR NEW, FANCY HOME.
THIS IS YOUR NEW PLACE.
PRETTY FANCY FOR CHICKENS.
Eivin: IT'S JUST A BIG SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
TO BE FINISHED WITH THAT PROJECT.
Eve: BUT I ALWAYS HAVE SOME OTHER PROJECT
THAT I NEED EIVIN TO DO FOR ME.
I THINK HE LIKES IT.
HE LOVES DOING ANYTHING THAT'S ON THE FARM.
Eivin: YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE TYPES OF THINGS,
WHETHER IT'S REPAIRING MACHINES, REPURPOSING EQUIPMENT,
BUILDING YOUR CHICKEN COOP, DRAGGING LOGS.
EVERYTHING THAT WE DO HERE
IS SO THAT WE'RE STILL ABLE TO LIVE THIS LIFESTYLE.
LET'S GO HAVE DINNER.
Eve: YEAH.
Narrator: ON THEIR WAY HOME FROM ACROSS THE BAY,
ATZ AND ATZ LEE SCOPE THE CLIFFS FOR A BLACK BEAR.
Atz Lee: JUST PADDLE ALONG THE COAST ON THE WAY BACK,
CLOSE TO THE BEACH AS WE CAN AND JUST LOOKING OUT.
NEXT THING I KNOW, I SAW THE HEAD TURN,
WHOPPED MY DAD WITH A PADDLE, AND WAS LIKE, THERE IT IS.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT. WE GOT IT.
HAD ME TURN STRAIGHT TO THE BEACH.
JUMP OUT RIGHT THERE. YOUR HEART'S PUMPING.
YOU'RE LIKE, "WHERE DO I FIND THE RIFLE?
WHERE'S THE RIFLE? GET THE RIFLE OUT. BULLETS."
AND YOU JUST SET THAT SIGHT
JUST RIGHT ON THE ENGINE ROOM THERE,
AND IT'S JUST ONE AND TWO AND...
[ GUNSHOT ]
Otto: ANOTHER SIGN WINTER'S OVER
IS FIRST LAUNDRY DAY IN THE SPRING.
[ SIGHS ]
MAN, WE GOT TO GET THIS LAUNDRY DONE.
ALL RIGHT.
IN THE WINTER, YOU JUST DON'T DO YOUR LAUNDRY.
YOU KNOW, YOU GET TIRED OF LOOKING THROUGH YOUR WARDROBE
FOR THE LATEST, LEAST-DIRTY PAIR OF PANTS.
"YEAH. [ SNIFFS ]
YEAH, OKAY. YOU PUT THESE ON FOR THE DAY."
ALL RIGHT, THERE SHE GOES.
HALLELUJAH. LOOK AT THAT WATER TURN DIRTY.
OH, MY GOD.
IT JUST FEELS SO GOOD
TO PUT ON A PAIR OF CLEAN PANTS OR A SHIRT,
PARTICULARLY UNDERWEAR.
I LOVE THAT. IT'S FULLY AUTOMATED.
"OTTO-MATED."
[ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S THE "OTTO" PART OF IT, BOY, BY GOLLY!
CLEAN LAUNDRY TO A HOMESTEADER
IS JUST LIKE YOU'VE JUST BEEN KIND OF REBORN.
HALLELUJAH, BRETHREN!
Narrator: AFTER SEVERAL DAYS ACROSS THE BAY,
ATZ LEE AND HIS FATHER, ATZ SR.,
HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS HUNTING BLACK BEAR.
EXHAUSTED AND FRUSTRATED,
THEY SCOPE THE NEARBY CLIFFS ON THEIR WAY HOME
FOR ONE LAST CHANCE AT BEAR MEAT.
Atz Lee: WHOPPED MY DAD WITH THE PADDLE AND WAS LIKE, THERE IT IS.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT. WE GOT IT.
HAD ME TURN STRAIGHT TO THE BEACH.
YOUR HEART'S PUMPING.
YOU JUST PICK UP THAT SCOPE, AND YOU SEE THE BEAR.
I GOT IT. YOU READY?
AND YOU JUST SET THAT SIGHT
JUST RIGHT ON THE ENGINE ROOM THERE, IN THE HEART.
THE BEAR JUST DROPPED AND ROLLED.
LET'S GO AROUND HIM.
AT THAT POINT, YOUR HEART'S JUST RACING SO MUCH,
IT'S PURE ADRENALINE.
AND YOU'RE JUST RUNNING TO GO GET UP THERE TO SEE THE BEAR.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU HIT IT.
COULD HAVE HIT IT IN THE GUTS, IN THE SHOULDER.
WE SCRAMBLE UP THE HILLSIDE. WE'RE LOOKING, YOU KNOW?
IT COULD BE ALIVE AND PRETTY PISSED OFF.
YOU KNOW, YOU STILL GOT ONE IN THE CHAMBER.
THERE IT IS, RIGHT THERE!
IS IT ALIVE STILL?
HE'S NOT MOVING.
CHECK HIM OUT. PICK UP HIS HEAD.
YEAH.
WAY TO GO. GIVE ME FIVE.
PERFECT AMOUNT OF MEAT, MAN. THAT'S TENDER.
Atz: IT'S A YOUNG BEAR, A LITTLE YEARLING SOW,
200 POUNDS.
LOWER HIM DOWN AND GUT HIM DOWN BY THE STREAM.
LET ME TAKE THE FRONT END. YOU BRING THE BACK END.
OKAY.
OKAY, LOOKING GOOD.
I GOT TO TAKE A STEP NOW OVER THE WATER.
GET RIGHT HERE, THIS WAY.
Atz Lee: YOU WANT TO GET THE GUTS OUT AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
I MEAN, THE ORGANS, ALL THAT INTERNAL BLEEDING AND STUFF,
AND THE MEAT WILL SOUR.
SO YOU WANT TO GET THE GUTS OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
SO WE JUST DROPPED IT RIGHT THERE AT THE CREEK SIDE.
THEN YOU GOT TO PACK IT OUT TO A PLACE
WHERE YOU CAN BE IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT TO SKIN IT.
YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO HAVE A CLEAN PLACE,
A GOOD, CLEAN TARP,
TRY TO WATCH THE DEBRIS AND STUFF AT THAT POINT,
KEEP THE MEAT CLEAN, AND SKIN IT OUT.
OKAY. YOU GOOD?
YEP.
ALL RIGHT.
OH, MY GOD!
RIGHT HERE?
HERE? SOUNDS GOOD.
COMING DOWN.
OH, MY GOD!
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
OH, GETTING TOO OLD FOR THIS [BLEEP]
WHOO!
HUNTING AIN'T OVER TILL THE HUNTING'S OVER AND YOU'RE HOME.
NOW WE JUST START SKINNING.
Atz Lee: PRETTY GOOD FEELING TO FINALLY GET THIS.
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR ALL LAST FALL AND THINKING ABOUT IT.
ALL WINTER LONG, IT'S BEEN HAUNTING ME.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT,
THESE ARE GONNA BE LITTLE, TASTY...
[ Chuckling ] YEAH.
IT'S ABOUT THE MEAT,
BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT JUST KIND OF THAT SELF-CONFIDENCE
AND BEING ABLE TO GET SLEEP AT NIGHT
KNOWING THAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU SET OUT TO DO.
WELL, IT WAS A LONG TRIP TO GET A BEAR SO CLOSE TO HOME.
YEAH.
[ CHUCKLES ]
SOMETIMES THEY'RE JUST IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD.
YOU TAKE A KNIFE
AND YOU CUT ALL THE MEAT AND ALL THE STEAKS AND ROASTS
AND EVERYTHING COMPLETELY OFF,
AND YOU LEAVE EVERY SINGLE BONE BEHIND, AS WELL,
SO THAT YOU'RE DOWN
TO JUST THE RAW WEIGHT OF THE MEAT AND THE HIDE.
ABOUT 100 POUNDS OF MEAT, I'D SAY.
WELL, SHE'LL BE TASTY. I'LL TELL YOU THAT.
READY?
Atz Lee: 100 POUNDS OF MEAT IS ABOUT 200 BIG MACS.
MY FAMILY OF FOUR, YOU KNOW, JUST MEAT ON ITS OWN,
WE COULD EAT BEAR MEAT FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK
AND LIVE FOR TWO OR THREE MONTHS OFF OF THIS THING.
OKAY.
[ GRUNTING ]
READY.
WE SAILING?
I'M IN. I'M FLOATING.
WHOO-HOO!
[ YODELING ]
Narrator: SAFELY BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD,
THE ENTIRE KILCHER FAMILY GATHERS
TO CELEBRATE ATZ LEE'S SUCCESSFUL HUNTING TRIP
AND THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER.
THE FIRST BEAR OF THE SEASON.
TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING AND A GREAT SUMMER AHEAD.
GOOD HUNT.
THANK YOU, BEAR.
Eve: THANK YOU, BEAR.
THANK YOU, BEAR.
Atz: TO ME, IT'S SPIRITUAL. IT'S COMMUNING WITH NATURE.
IT'S PART OF LIVING ON THE LAND AND LIVING WITH THE LAND.
IT'S GIVING THANKS TO THE ANIMALS THAT GIVE THEIR LIFE
SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE.
Eve: THANK YOU.
I GOT THE WHOLE.
HOW WAS IT GETTING THIS BEAR, ATZ?
I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE OLD MAN WITH ME.
MIGHTY PROUD. I JUST WENT ALONG.
I LET ATZ LEE BE IN CHARGE. HE MADE ALL THE DECISIONS.
AND I WANT HEAR A FISHING STORY.
IT JUST POPPED UP. I CAUGHT IT.
AND EVERY TIME HE CAME UP TO THE BOAT,
HE JUST KEPT GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER.
[ CHUCKLES ]
GOOD FIGHT.
I WAS WORRIED I'D LOSE HIM, BUT I GOT HIM.
WELL, IT JUST PROVES THE OLD SAYING.
"MEAT AIN'T MEAT TILL IT'S IN THE PAN."
[ LAUGHS ]
Atz Lee: WITHIN THE FAMILY,
WE'RE STILL CARRYING ON THAT KIND OF HOMESTEADING TRADITION.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M PROUD OF,
SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO PASS ON TO MY CHILDREN.
AND HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL PASS IT ON TO THEIRS.
Atz: HAVE A HEART.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Narrator: NEXT TIME ON "ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER"...
THE KILCHERS EMBARK UPON A DANGEROUS CATTLE DRIVE,
TRAVELING UP MILES OF HARSH COASTLINE...
Atz: TIDE COMES IN INCREDIBLY FAST.
OH, WE'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT.
WE MIGHT BE SCREWED HERE, HONEY.
Narrator: ...ACROSS THE DEADLY CURRENTS
OF FREEZING-COLD RIVERS,
FENDING OFF STARVING PREDATORS...
I SAW A BEAR ABOUT A MILE BACK.
...THE KILCHERS ARE TESTED TO THEIR LIMITS,
AT THE MERCY OF THE GREAT ALASKAN WILDERNESS.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BEAR THROUGH THE MISERABLE
IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ANIMALS ARE GONNA SURVIVE.